STATE STATUTES & CODES

WEST VIRGINIA STATUTES AND CODES

CHAPTER 17C. TRAFFIC REGULATIONS AND LAWS OF THE ROAD

• §17C-1-1 Definitions generally.
• §17C-1-2 Vehicle.
• §17C-1-3 Motor vehicle.
• §17C-1-4 Motorcycle.
• §17C-1-5 Motor-driven cycle.
• §17C-1-5a Moped.
• §17C-1-6 Authorized emergency vehicle.
• §17C-1-7 School bus.
• §17C-1-8 Bicycle.
• §17C-1-9 Truck tractor.
• §17C-1-10 Farm tractor.
• §17C-1-11 Road tractor.
• §17C-1-12 Truck.
• §17C-1-13 Bus.
• §17C-1-14 Trackless trolley coach.
• §17C-1-15 Trailer.
• §17C-1-16 Semitrailer.
• §17C-1-17 Pole trailer.
• §17C-1-18 Pneumatic tire.
• §17C-1-19 Solid tire.
• §17C-1-20 Metal tire.
• §17C-1-21 Railroad.
• §17C-1-22 Railroad train.
• §17C-1-23 Streetcar.
• §17C-1-24 Explosives.
• §17C-1-25 Flammable liquid.
• §17C-1-26 Gross weight.
• §17C-1-27 Commissioner.
• §17C-1-28 Division.
• §17C-1-29 Person.
• §17C-1-30 Pedestrian.
• §17C-1-31 Driver.
• §17C-1-32 Owner.
• §17C-1-33 Police officer.
• §17C-1-34 Local authorities.
• §17C-1-35 Street or highway.
• §17C-1-36 Private road or driveway; private property.
• §17C-1-37 Roadway.
• §17C-1-38 Sidewalk.
• §17C-1-39 Laned roadway.
• §17C-1-40 Through highway.
• §17C-1-41 Controlled-access highway.
• §17C-1-42 Intersection.
• §17C-1-43 Crosswalk.
• §17C-1-44 Safety zone.
• §17C-1-45 Business district.
• §17C-1-46 Residence district.
• §17C-1-47 Traffic-control devices.
• §17C-1-48 Traffic-control signal.
• §17C-1-49 Railroad sign or signal.
• §17C-1-50 Traffic.
• §17C-1-51 Right-of-way.
• §17C-1-52 Stop.
• §17C-1-53 Stop, stopping, or standing.
• §17C-1-54 Park.
• §17C-1-55 School grounds.
• §17C-1-56 Axle group.
• §17C-1-57 Tandem axle.
• §17C-1-58 Tandem axle weight.
• §17C-1-59 Connecting mechanism.
• §17C-1-60 Parking area.
• §17C-1-61 Institution of higher education.
• §17C-1-62 Residential street.
• §17C-1-63 Digger/derrick line truck.
• §17C-1-64 Passenger van.
• §17C-1-65 Wheelchair.
• §17C-1-66 Electric personal assistive mobility device.
• §17C-2-1 Provisions of chapter refer to vehicles upon streets and highways; exceptions.
• §17C-2-2 Required obedience to traffic laws.
• §17C-2-3 Enforcement of chapter; designation and power of special officers; bond of special officers; failure to obey police officer or special officers.
• §17C-2-4 Obedience to chapter of public officers and employees; chapter inapplicable to persons engaged in highway surface work.
• §17C-2-5 Authorized emergency vehicles.
• §17C-2-6 Traffic laws apply to persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.
• §17C-2-7 Uniformity of provisions of chapter throughout state.
• §17C-2-8 Powers of local authorities.
• §17C-2-9 Chapter not to interfere with rights of owners of real property.
• §17C-3-1 Adoption of manual and specifications for uniform system of traffic-control devices.
• §17C-3-2 Placing and maintaining traffic-control devices and signs on state highways.
• §17C-3-3 Local traffic-control devices.
• §17C-3-4 Obedience to traffic-control devices; official signs to be in proper position, etc; penalty.
• §17C-3-4a Obedience to traffic-control instructions at site of street or highway construction or maintenance; penalty.
• §17C-3-4b Traffic violations in construction zones; posting requirement; criminal penalty.
• §17C-3-5 Traffic-control signal legend.
• §17C-3-6 Pedestrian walk and wait signals; penalty.
• §17C-3-7 Flashing signals.
• §17C-3-8 Display of unauthorized devices, signs, etc.; such devices, etc., declared nuisance and subject to removal.
• §17C-3-9 Interference with official traffic-control devices or railroad signs or signals.
• §17C-3-10 Interference with official traffic-control devices by infrared or electronic devices.
• §17C-4-1 Accidents involving death or personal injuries.
• §17C-4-2 Accidents involving damage to vehicle.
• §17C-4-3 Duty to give information and render aid.
• §17C-4-4 Duty upon striking unattended vehicle.
• §17C-4-5 Duty upon striking fixtures upon a highway.
• §17C-4-6 Immediate reports of accidents.
• §17C-4-7 Written reports of accidents.
• §17C-4-8 When driver unable to report.
• §17C-4-10 Penalty for failure to report.
• §17C-4-11 Coroners to report on accident victims.
• §17C-4-12 Garages to report bullet damage.
• §17C-4-13 Repealed
• §17C-4-14 Department to tabulate and analyze accident reports.
• §17C-4-15 Any incorporated city, town, etc., may require accident reports.
• §17C-4-16 Accidents involving state and municipal property; reports to be provided.
• §17C-5-1 Negligent homicide; penalties.
• §17C-5-2 Driving under influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs; penalties.
• §17C-5-2a Definition of phrase "in this state"; phrases synonymous with driving under the influence of alcohol; validation of warrants and indictments.
• §17C-5-3 Reckless driving; penalties.
• §17C-5-4 Implied consent to test; administration at direction of law-enforcement officer; designation of type of test; definition of law-enforcement officer.
• §17C-5-5 Preliminary analysis of breath to determine alcoholic content of blood.
• §17C-5-6 How blood test administered; additional test at option of person tested; use of test results; certain immunity from liability incident to administering test.
• §17C-5-6a Taking a child into custody; driving a motor vehicle with any amount of blood alcohol.
• §17C-5-7 Refusal to submit to tests; revocation of license or privilege; consent not withdrawn if person arrested is incapable of refusal; hearing.
• §17C-5-8 Interpretation and use of chemical test.
• §17C-5-9 Right to demand test.
• §17C-5-10 Fee for withdrawing blood sample and making urine test; payment of fees.
• §17C-5-11 Municipal ordinances to contain same elements as offenses under this article; penalties in municipal ordinances required to conform to state penalties.
• §17C-5A-1 Implied consent to administrative procedure; revocation for driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs or refusal to submit to secondary chemical test.
• §17C-5A-1a Revocation upon conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs.
• §17C-5A-2 Hearing; revocation; review.
• §17C-5A-2a Assessment of costs; special account created.
• §17C-5A-3 Safety and treatment program; reissuance of license.
• §17C-5A-3a Establishment of and participation in the Motor Vehicle Alcohol Test and Lock Program.
• §17C-5A-4 Search for record of prior offenses by driver.
• §17C-5A-5 Repealed
• §17C-5A-6 Repealed
• §17C-5A-7 Repealed
• §17C-5A-8 Repealed
• §17C-5B-1 Blood test for alcohol in drivers and adult pedestrians killed in motor vehicle accidents; time limit for conducting test; who may conduct test; express consent to withdraw blood from dea
• §17C-5B-2 To whom and how county medical examiners report results of blood tests; such reports admissible as evidence; use of reports only for statistical and highway safety purposes.
• §17C-6-1 Speed limitations generally; penalty.
• §17C-6-2 Establishment of state speed zones.
• §17C-6-3 When local authorities may alter speed limits.
• §17C-6-3a Minimum speed regulations; penalty.
• §17C-6-4 Special speed limitations on vehicles not designed for carrying passengers and equipped with pneumatic tires.
• §17C-6-5 Special speed limitations; penalty.
• §17C-6-6 Charging violations; rule in civil actions.
• §17C-6-7 Prima facie evidence of speed by devices employing microwaves or reflected light; placing of signs relative to radar or laser.
• §17C-6-7a Prohibition of the use of traffic law photo-monitoring devices to detect or prove traffic law violations.
• §17C-6-8 Racing on streets and highways prohibited; legislative findings; penalties; mandatory revocation of licenses.
• §17C-6-9 Slow-moving vehicle emblem.
• §17C-6-10 Enforcement of article with respect to operations of commercial motor vehicles.
• §17C-7-1 Driving on right side of roadway; exceptions; penalty.
• §17C-7-2 Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions; penalty.
• §17C-7-3 Overtaking and passing vehicle proceeding in same direction -- Passing on the left generally; penalty.
• §17C-7-4 Same -- When overtaking on the right is permitted.
• §17C-7-5 Same -- Limitations on overtaking on the left; penalty.
• §17C-7-6 Same -- Further limitations on driving to left of center of roadway; penalty.
• §17C-7-7 Same -- No-passing zones; penalty.
• §17C-7-8 One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands; penalty.
• §17C-7-9 Driving on roadways laned for traffic; penalty.
• §17C-7-10 Following too closely.
• §17C-7-11 Driving on divided highways; penalty.
• §17C-7-12 Controlled-access roadway -- Driving onto or from; penalty.
• §17C-7-13 Controlled-access roadway -- Restrictions on use by nonmotorized traffic, cycles, etc.
• §17C-8-1 Required position and method of turning at intersections.
• §17C-8-2 Right turns; penalty.
• §17C-8-3 Left turns on two-way roadways; penalty.
• §17C-8-4 Left turns on other than two-way roadways; penalty.
• §17C-8-5 Local authorities may specify different course for turns.
• §17C-8-6 Turning on curve or crest of grade prohibited; penalty.
• §17C-8-7 Starting parked, etc., vehicle.
• §17C-8-8 Turning movements and required signals; penalty.
• §17C-8-9 Signals to be given by hand and arm or signal device.
• §17C-8-10 Method of giving hand-and-arm signals.
• §17C-9-1 Vehicle approaching or entering intersection.
• §17C-9-2 Vehicle turning left at intersection.
• §17C-9-3 Vehicle entering through highway or stop intersections.
• §17C-9-4 Vehicle entering highway from private road or driveway.
• §17C-9-5 Operation of vehicles and streetcars on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.
• §17C-9-6 Misdemeanor to violate provisions of article; penalty.
• §17C-10-1 Pedestrians subject to traffic regulations; powers of local authorities.
• §17C-10-2 Pedestrians' right-of-way in crosswalks.
• §17C-10-3 Crossing at other than crosswalks.
• §17C-10-4 Drivers to exercise due care.
• §17C-10-5 Pedestrians to use right half of crosswalks.
• §17C-10-6 Pedestrians on roadways; soliciting rides.
• §17C-10-7 Penalty for pedestrians violating the provisions of this article.
• §17C-10-8 Persons working on streets and highways.
• §17C-10A-1 Definitions.
• §17C-10A-2 Equipment requirements and operating standards for electric personal assistive mobility devices; applicability of motor vehicle code; penalties.
• §17C-11-1 Obedience to article; duty of parents and guardians; applicability of article to bicycles.
• §17C-11-2 Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles.
• §17C-11-3 Riding on bicycle seats; carrying more than one person on bicycle.
• §17C-11-4 Clinging to vehicles.
• §17C-11-5 Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
• §17C-11-6 Carrying articles.
• §17C-11-7 Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
• §17C-11A-1 Short title.
• §17C-11A-2 Legislative findings and purpose.
• §17C-11A-3 Definitions.
• §17C-11A-4 Requirements for helmet use.
• §17C-11A-5 Sale of bicycle helmets.
• §17C-11A-6 Civil actions.
• §17C-11A-7 Penalties.
• §17C-11A-8 Ordinances
• §17C-11A-9 Bicycle safety program.
• §17C-12-1 Obedience to signal indicating approach of train.
• §17C-12-2 All vehicles must stop at certain railroad grade crossings.
• §17C-12-3 Certain vehicles must stop at all railroad grade crossings.
• §17C-12-4 Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossings.
• §17C-12-5 Vehicles must stop at through highways; erection of signs.
• §17C-12-6 Stopping before emerging from alley or privatedriveway; penalty.
• §17C-12-7 Overtaking and passing school bus; penalties; signs and warning lights upon buses; removal of warning lights, lettering, etc., upon sale of buses; highways with separate roadways; limitation
• §17C-12-7a Signs and warning lights or alternative warning devices upon passenger vans; passing passenger van; criminal penalties.
• §17C-12-8 Special lighting equipment on school buses.
• §17C-12-9 School bus drivers may present complaint directly to magistrate.
• §17C-13-1 Stopping, standing or parking outside of business or residence districts; penalty.
• §17C-13-2 Officers authorized to remove illegally stopped vehicles.
• §17C-13-3 Stopping, standing or parking prohibited in specified places; penalty.
• §17C-13-4 Right and left parallel parking; angle parking; highway signs restricting parking, etc.; penalty.
• §17C-13-5 Removal of vehicles parked, etc., on controlled- access highway; liability for costs of removal and storage; liens for towing and storage.
• §17C-13-6 Stopping, standing or parking privileges for persons with a mobility impairment; definitions; qualification; special registration plates and removable windshield placards; expiration; applic
• §17C-13-7 Signs on workers' and church buses; when lawful for such buses to stop on highways and streets.
• §17C-13-8 Disabled parking places on private facilities; signs designating places.
• §17C-14-1 Unattended motor vehicle; penalty.
• §17C-14-2 Limitations on backing; penalty.
• §17C-14-3 Repealed
• §17C-14-4 Obstruction to driver's view or driving mechanism; penalty.
• §17C-14-5 Passengers in seat with operator; penalty.
• §17C-14-6 Passengers on running board; penalty.
• §17C-14-7 Driving on mountain highways; penalty.
• §17C-14-8 Coasting prohibited; penalty.
• §17C-14-9 Following authorized emergency vehicles; penalty.
• §17C-14-9a Approaching authorized emergency vehicles; penalties.
• §17C-14-10 Crossing fire hose; penalty.
• §17C-14-11 Putting glass, etc., on highway.
• §17C-14-12 School bus rules.
• §17C-14-13 Vehicles parked on private property; penalty.
• §17C-14-13a Police officers authorized to conduct investigations on private property.
• §17C-14-14 Unlawful to litter from motor vehicle; penalty; rule making.
• §17C-15-1 Unsafe and improperly equipped vehicles; additional parts and accessories; applicability of article to farm and road equipment.
• §17C-15-2 When lighted lamps are required.
• §17C-15-3 Visibility distance and mounted height of lamps.
• §17C-15-4 Head lamps on motor vehicles.
• §17C-15-5 Tail lamps.
• §17C-15-6 Penalty for violations of the provisions of this article.
• §17C-15-7 Repealed
• §; 17C-15-9 to 17C-15-13.
• §17C-15-9 Additional lighting and reflector equipment required on certain vehicles.
• §17C-15-10 Color of clearance lamps, side marker lamps and reflectors.
• §17C-15-11 Mounting of reflectors, clearance lamps and side marker lamps.
• §17C-15-12 Visibility of reflectors, clearance lamps and marker lamps.
• §17C-15-13 Obstructed lights not required to be lighted.
• §17C-15-14 Lamp or flag on projecting load.
• §17C-15-15 Lamps on parked vehicles.
• §17C-15-16 Lamps on animal-drawn and other vehicles and equipment.
• §17C-15-17 Spot lamps and other auxiliary lamps.
• §17C-15-18 Signal lamps and signal devices.
• §17C-15-19 Additional lighting equipment.
• §17C-15-20 Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment -- Requirements generally.
• §17C-15-21 Same -- Use of; dimming lights upon approaching or overtaking.
• §17C-15-22 Single-beam road-lighting equipment.
• §17C-15-23 Lighting equipment on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles and mopeds.
• §17C-15-24 Alternate road-lighting equipment.
• §17C-15-25 Number of driving lamps required or permitted.
• §17C-15-26 Special restrictions on lamps.
• §17C-15-27 Standards for lights on snow removal equipment.
• §17C-15-28 Selling and using unapproved lamps or equipment; legibility of name, etc., of approved equipment; use of improperly mounted, etc., equipment.
• §17C-15-29 Authority of division of highways with reference to lighting devices.
• §17C-15-30 Revocation of certificate of approval on lighting devices.
• §17C-15-31 Brakes -- Generally.
• §17C-15-32 Brakes on motorcycles, motor-driven cycles and mopeds.
• §17C-15-33 Horns and warning devices.
• §17C-15-34 Mufflers; prevention of noise, fumes and smoke.
• §17C-15-35 Mirrors.
• §17C-15-36 Windshields must be unobstructed and equipped with wipers.
• §17C-15-36a Sun screening devices; penalty.
• §17C-15-37 Tire equipment restrictions; rules and regulations as to certain tires.
• §17C-15-38 Safety glass in motor vehicles.
• §17C-15-39 Flares and other warning devices to be carried in certain vehicles.
• §17C-15-40 Display of warning devices when vehicle is disabled.
• §17C-15-41 Vehicles transporting explosives.
• §17C-15-42 Television receivers in view of driver prohibited.
• §17C-15-43 Vehicles to be equipped with safety belts.
• §17C-15-44 Safety equipment and requirements for motorcyclists, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles and mopeds; motorcycle safety standards and education committee.
• §17C-15-45 Certification labels on mopeds.
• §17C-15-46 Child passenger safety devices required; child safety seats and booster seats.
• §17C-15-47 Commercial towing vehicles to employ safety chains.
• §17C-15-48 Alteration of motor vehicles; bumper height limits; other modifications; exceptions; required inspection; and rules of division of public safety.
• §17C-15-49 Operation of vehicles with safety belts; exception; penalty; civil actions; educational program by division of public safety.
• §17C-15-50 Deployed restraint systems resale or reinstallation prohibited.
• §17C-16-1 Vehicles not to operate without required equipment or in unsafe condition.
• §17C-16-2 Inspection by department of public safety.
• §17C-16-3 Owners and drivers to comply with inspection laws.
• §17C-16-4 Commissioner to require periodical inspection; acceptance of certificate of inspection from another state; suspension of registration of unsafe vehicles.
• §17C-16-5 Permit for official inspection stations; fees for and certificate of inspection.
• §17C-16-6 Assignment, transfer and posting of official inspection station permit; issuance and record of certificate of inspection; inspection fee.
• §17C-16-7 Improper representation as official stations.
• §17C-16-8 False certificates.
• §17C-16-9 Operation without certificate or failure to produce certificate; penalty for misdemeanor.
• §17C-17-1 Unlawful to exceed size and weight limitations; application of article to fire apparatus, farm machinery, etc.;"operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles" construed.
• §17C-17-2 Width of vehicles.
• §17C-17-3 Projecting loads on passenger vehicles.
• §17C-17-4 Height and length of vehicles and loads.
• §17C-17-5 Special load limits.
• §17C-17-6 Loads to be securely fastened and not allowed to leak, escape, etc.
• §17C-17-6a Vehicles transporting compressed gas containers.
• §17C-17-7 Trailers and towed vehicles.
• §17C-17-8 Single-axle load limit.
• §17C-17-8a Tandem-axle load limit for the national system of interstate and defense highways.
• §17C-17-9a Gross weight of vehicles and loads.
• §17C-17-10 Officers may weigh, measure or examine vehicles and require removal or rearrangement of excess loads.
• §17C-17-11 Permits for excess size and weight.
• §17C-17-11a Authority of commissioner of the department of highways to increase weight limitations upon highways designated by him.
• §17C-17-11b Authority of state road commissioner to increase length limitations upon highways designated by him.
• §17C-17-11c Designating an industrial road; setting weight limits.
• §17C-17-11d Establishing maximum road highway weights.
• §17C-17-12 When state road commission or local authorities may restrict right to use highways.
• §17C-17-13 Liability for damage to highway or structure.
• §17C-17-14 Penalties for violation of weight laws; impounding vehicles.
• §17C-17A-1 Legislative findings and creation of program.
• §17C-17A-2 Definitions.
• §17C-17A-3 Authority of the Division of Highways and Public Service Commission generally.
• §17C-17A-4 Special permit issuance; and promulgation of rules.
• §17C-17A-5 Operation of coal trucks under special permits; weight limitations; payment of permit fees.
• §17C-17A-6 Reporting requirements for shippers, vehicle owners and receivers of coal transported on public highways.
• §17C-17A-7 Permit application procedure.
• §17C-17A-8 Powers and duties of the commission.
• §17C-17A-9 Administrative sanctions.
• §17C-17A-10 Penalties for violation of weight laws; impounding vehicles.
• §17C-17A-11 Effective date.
• §17C-17A-12 Designating special coal resource transportation roads, highways and bridges.
• §17C-17A-13 Authority of the commissioner of the division of highways relating to road and bridge repair on designated coal resource transportation roads.
• §17C-17A-14 Exclusion of off-road vehicles.
• §17C-17A-15 Exclusion of interstate highways.
• §17C-17A-16 Spotting unlawful; penalties.
• §17C-17B-1 Legislative findings and purposes.
• §17C-17B-2 Transfer of jurisdiction over vehicle weight enforcement and excess weight permit issuances to public service commission.
• §17C-17B-3 Transfer of certain employees from department of transportation to public service commission.
• §17C-17B-4 Costs of enforcement to be funded from revenues in General Revenue Fund or from fees collected by Public Service Commission.
• §17C-17B-5 Exceptions.
• §17C-18-1 Violations of chapter; penalties for misdemeanor.
• §17C-19-1 Parties to a crime.
• §17C-19-2 Offenses by persons owning or controlling vehicles; owner present in vehicle to be arrested rather than driver for certain traffic violations.
• §17C-19-3 When person arrested must be taken immediately before a magistrate or court.
• §17C-19-4 When person arrested to be given five days' notice to appear in court.
• §17C-19-5 Procedure prescribed by article not exclusive.
• §17C-19-6 Form for and records of books of traffic citations.
• §17C-19-7 Disposition and records of traffic citations.
• §17C-19-8 Record of traffic cases.
• §17C-19-9 Jurisdiction of crimes by justices.
• §17C-19-10 Guaranteed arrest bond certificates as cash bail.
• §17C-20-1 Authority of West Virginia turnpike commission.
• §17C-21-1 Constitutionality.
• §17C-21-2 Repeal of conflicting provisions.
• §17C-22-1 Ridesharing arrangement defined.
• §17C-22-2 Common carrier laws do not apply to ridesharing; requiring liability insurance.
• §17C-22-3 Workers' compensation law does not apply to ridesharing; exceptions thereto.
• §17C-22-4 Liability of employer.
• §17C-22-5 County or municipal licenses and taxes.
• §17C-22-6 Overtime compensation and minimum wage law.
• §17C-22-7 Certain ridesharing vehicles are not commercial vehicles or buses; exemption from registration; driver not chauffeur.
• §17C-23-1 Definitions.
• §17C-23-2 Funeral procession right-of-way; funeral escort vehicles; funeral lead vehicles.
• §17C-23-3 Driving in procession.
• §17C-23-4 Liability.
• §17C-23-5 Equipment.